RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2019
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B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S
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ixty-six years after opening its doors, Plaza TV and Appliance
was thriving. But its brick-and-mortar locations were getting a
little threadbare, and as is so often the case, the people who
spent the most time there – the owners and employees – didn't notice.
It took an intervention from the store's buying group, AVB, and its
newly unveiled AVB Makeovers program to get the company's
Maplewood, Minnesota showroom looking its best.
Owners Dave Motz, Scott Motz, and Tammey Nowacki whose
parents founded the business in 1953 decided to go ahead with a
three-day, $30,000 makeover that has completely revitalized the
Plaza store and energized the staff.
"It's something you say – 'Why didn't we do this 10 years ago?'"
said Brian Nowacki, Tammey Nowacki's husband who plays a
major role in Plaza's operations.
The AVB Makeover program was unveiled at Summit in March,
with AVB CEO Jim Ristow using Plaza as an example of how
members can participate. The group has put together what Ristow
called toolkits, with paint, signage and merchandising ideas ready
to go for retailers who want an interior refresh.
"Region managers have packages ready," Ristow said. "If you
want to use the crew, it's around $30,000, give or take. If you just
want a refresh, it's a few thousand dollars to refresh with paint, etc.
The premise wasn't just to get excited, it's about having the in-store
experience match the new digital experience."
AVB MAKEOVER–
STORE EDITION
Creating an in-store experience that matches the online experience
Plaza TV and Appliance BEFORE
